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East_End_Life_17Feb2014

Never a dull moment! Lots going on this half-term see pages 10 & 11 ISSUE 997 17 – 23 FEBRUARY 2014 Building a bright future Apprentice of the Year winner Leanne has big plans see page 25 The ABC of Aberfeldy Amazing architecture in walk of the month see pages 18 & 19 WWW.TOWERHAMLETS.GOV.UK NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY A special tree for a special person BY JESSICA ODUBAYO THE life of a modest war veteran who died last year in his nineties, is being commemorated this week with the planting of a specially bred tree. Golden Girls Vi Davis, Margaret Vanstone and June White from the Sundial Centre in LONDONPHONECOMPANY.COM Bethnal Green were among the scores of people who went along to the pamper day for carers held at the Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park last week. See page 7. Free valuation: 020 7791 5333 www.city-fox.co.uk *Terms & Conditions Apply 190 Mile End Rd London E1 4LJ Sell your property in 30 days 105 GO ON, PAMPER YOURSELF… Standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and a bugler playing the Last Post will attend the ceremony in Carlton Gardens, Stepney Green in honour of Wilfred Coppens. Anna Gaudion and fellow residents of the Carlton Gardens area have organised the elm tree planting to commemorate Mr Coppens, a well-known local character. The veteran was brought up an orphan and won medals at Dunkirk during World War II. Although close to his neighbours in Carlton Square, he was modest about his war record and his heroism was only discovered after he died. The commemoratory elm, a species developed over three decades to be resistant to Dutch elm disease, will be planted near the park bench where Mr Coppens spent time resting and keeping a watchful eye on the neighbourhood. Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who is due to take part in the planting, said: “I hope that this will be just the first of many elms to green our borough, while doing our bit to combat climate change. “It is a really fitting tribute to someone, who along with millions of British, Commonwealth and allied comrades, risked his life so that this country would survive in 1940.” David Shreeve, director and co-founder of the Conservation Foundation which led the experimental project to develop the disease-resistant elm species, said it was a great idea to supply a special tree for a special person. The foundation has distributed hundreds of saplings to communities, schools and organisations across the UK for planting. Mr Shreeve said the foundation would be very pleased to hear that residents would be looking after the tree and helping it to grow well. He added that they should expect to see the elm blossom in a few months’ time and that in summer it may attract the white letter hairstreak, a small butterfly which lives in the tops of elm trees.


East_End_Life_17Feb2014
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